Monksland bridal business is overall winner at Roscommon Enterprise Awards
A bridal wear business from Monksland, Athlone, was this week named as the winner of the County Roscommon Enterprise Award for 2023.
Lark Bridal, based in Monksland Business Park, took the top prize of €2,000 at the county's enterprise awards event held in the Hodson Bay Hotel yesterday (Thursday).
The family-owned firm, which was founded by Ruth Larkin in 2013, will now go on to represent Local Enterprise Office Roscommon at the 23rd National Enterprise Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin on June 1.
In the years since it started trading, Lark Bridal has grown to include both its own Rulabelle brand of bridalwear and to exclusively distribute leading bridalwear brands globally.
The local business now supplies more than 1,000 outlets in 32 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all from its base in County Roscommon.
Lark Bridal will be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €35,000 winners prize fund as national judging gets underway in May.
Operated by Ruth Larkin, along with her business partner and husband Jason, Lark Bridal are distributors of bridal brand Maggie Sottero Designs, and of the bridesmaids' brand, the Dessy Group, and distribute business to business exclusively to retailers.
Speaking at the event yesterday, Ruth said the award was "a fantastic acknowledgement of all that we do".
"After Covid-19, we have returned to growth and the company continues to excel," she said.
"We have a continued expansion plan to increase our markets into Eastern Europe. We are also hoping to expand the consultancy and training side of the business."
She said that today (Friday) she and Jason were planning to travel to a series of international shows, trade shows, and private events in Amsterdam, London, Essen and Milan.
Other winners at the County Roscommon Enterprise Awards included 27-year-old Athleague woman Lydia Clayton, a goldsmith who creates exquisitely designed and crafted jewellery from her studios.
Lydia was presented with a start-up award after establishing her business from her base in Athleague in 2022.
An 'Ambition and Growth' award was also presented to Mark Lohan Fitted Furniture Ltd, based on the Racecourse Road in Roscommon town. The business has grown to become a leading kitchen manufacturer nationally and currently employs 55 people.
All of the award winners were presented with a specially commissioned trophy and a hamper of goods containing locally sourced produce from Roscommon Local Enterprise Office clients, including items from Black Donkey Brewing, Roscommon Chocolates, DeDanu Cosmetics, Rita Oates Gift Cards, Chef Sham's sauces from Cortober and Sandra's Creative Candles.
Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Roscommon commented: "Lark Bridal is a very deserving winner of this year's Roscommon County Enterprise Award, and the team in Local Enterprise Office Roscommon are very proud of their achievements.
"We wish them every success as they continue to grow their world-class business from County Roscommon."
Speaking at the awards event, the chief executive of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan, said: "I am delighted that, despite operating in a difficult business environment, the level of entrepreneurship in Roscommon has never been higher.
"The businesses honoured at the County Enterprise Awards epitomise the qualities of innovation, resilience, creativity and ambition that are necessary to create employment and wealth for our communities across the county."